Ryder Cup

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Donald is backing Jon Rahm to "lead from the front" as the Spaniard prepares to join Tyrrell Hatton in facing Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas in the opening foursomes match at the Ryder Cup.

The two LIV golfers reprise their partnership from the 2023 competition in Rome, where they won both matches, and Rahm boasts a perfect record of four wins from four in this format.

"I'm excited for them to go out first and lead for us," Donald said. "They played so well two years ago.

"We trust in [Rahm]. We trust all 12 guys but he certainly likes to lead from the front.

"The first tee is pure energy, it's pure passion, but I think my guys are ready for it."

After taking seven points out of eight from the foursomes in Rome, Donald has shuffled some of the partnerships for this iteration.

"It's two years since Rome," he said. "People's profiles and people's games change. We're trying to get our strongest pairings out and we went with what we thought was the strongest match."

Image source, Getty Images

American captain Keegan Bradley is backing Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas to "thrive" as they lead out the home team in the 45th Ryder Cup.

They will face equally feisty Europeans Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in a blockbuster start to the competition.

Both Americans will feed off the energy of what is expected to be a boisterous crowd in New York but Bradley denied that was the sole reason he decided to put them out in match one in foursomes on Friday.

"They are fiery players and are both going to relish the opportunity to lead out our team," he said. "They are just two guys that thrive in that.

"But they are also both incredible players. They are two of our better players - and they bring the energy. We want that."

Bradley opted to put world number one Scottie Scheffler out in match two where he will partner Russell Henley, a player he won two matches with and lost one at the Presidents Cup in 2024.

"Scottie's a leader - he's the guy that our players look up to for leadership," Bradley said. "He has a quiet aspect but he's been an incredible team-mate, and again another guy that's been willing to play with anybody and do whatever it takes to win."

Iain Carter
Golf correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

We are about to find out the line-ups for the opening session in New York, and history proves Friday morning's action could have a massive influence on the destiny of the 45th Ryder Cup.

US captain Keegan Bradley has opted to stick with their preferred tactic of starting their home matches with alternate shot foursomes. And success in this format has been a reliable indicator of overall outcomes in recent times.

In each of the five subsequent events since Europe pulled off the 'Miracle of Medinah' in 2012, the winning outfit have trounced the visitors in the first-day foursomes.

Indeed, Europe dropped only half a point out of 12 in these sequences in the triumphs of 2014, 2018 and 2023.

At Whistling Straits four years ago the US took the opening foursomes 3-1 en route to a record 19-9 victory. In 2016, they won the Friday foursomes session 4-0 at Hazeltine and Europe never truly recovered.

Both captains know the importance of this Friday's opening session at Bethpage Black.

It is the tone-setter for the three days of competition.

Read more here

Rory McIlroy spoke to the BBC's golf correspondent Iain Carter about how a settled European side, with just one change from Rome, has the chance to break the cycle of Ryder Cup home wins.

He also talks about what the players will do when the foursomes pairings are announced, as that usually takes place on the stage at the opening ceremony but the weather at Bethpage meant the event was moved a day forward.

Image source, Getty Images

It has been 13 years since a team won the Ryder Cup on foreign soil, and that was the so-called 'Miracle of Medinah' where Europe recovered from 10-4 down to stun their American hosts.

In the five tournaments since, it has been a procession for the home team, with the smallest margin of victory still being five points.

No contest.

That prompted Rory McIlroy to say that if Team Europe were to win this week it would rank as one of his "greatest accomplishments".

However, it has not always been this clearcut.

Indeed, zooming out a touch, since the competition became USA against Europe in 1979, the contingent from this side of the pond have held their own in the States.

Europe have won four times away from home, including twice this century (2004 and 2012). If anything, the concern about travel is for the Americans, who have not won on blue territory since 1993 and only twice in total.

Four years ago at Whistling Straits, Team USA demolished Team Europe, but the teams look a lot closer matched this time.

Having finally won the Masters earlier this year, perhaps this will simply be another mountain McIlroy scales in 2025.

Read about why it is so difficult to win away from home

Image source, Getty Images

We usually think Team USA has the biggest individual stars, but looking back at the stats we have discovered only one American has been outright top points scorer in the past 13 Ryder Cups.

Since Corey Pavin finished as top scorer in 1995, only Dustin Johnson in 2021 has finished as the leading points scorer when he went a perfect five-from-five at Whistling Straits.

Over that time period, Europe have had the top scorer 10 times in that same span and there have been a couple of ties.

Image source, Getty Images

Prominent golf psychologist Bob Rotella says watching the Ryder Cup has become a competition between the two sets of fans to decide who can "become the craziest".

The tournament gets under way at Bethpage Black, New York on Friday with much of the pre-event chatter focusing on the behaviour of supporters.

It was brought into sharper focus by Matt Fitzpatrick saying his parents had opted not to attend this year's event, in part because of abusive fans four years ago at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

"I think it's kind of become a competition between the American fans and the European fans to see who can become the craziest," Rotella told BBC Radio 5 Live Drive.

"[Fitzpatrick] mentioned wanting the fans to be respectful. I wish they would be. I think that would be really nice - but I'd be shocked."

Europe's captain Luke Donald is renowned for his attention to detail and has sought to prepare his team as best as possible for the atmosphere they will face, including giving them VR headsets to simulate abuse.

"The good news is that we can anticipate that they might say or do anything and if you can anticipate it you can be prepared for it," Rotella added. "They tend to be very boisterous and be willing to say anything.

"But you basically say: 'What are the craziest things they could possibly say or do?' And you try and say: 'All I know is that I'm going to try and laugh and get a kick out of it.'

"I know this much, you better not take it personally."

We asked for your thoughts what is and isn't acceptable behaviour from supporters at the Ryder Cup.

Here are some of your comments, submitted using this form:

James: As long as the support does not get personal and rude, then I see no problem with home crowds being partisan. When someone get drunk and causes issues, that when it's time to step in and say something.

Michael: Unacceptable to: cheer a bad shot; make derogatory personal remarks; make a noise when a player is playing a shot; totally unacceptable to direct foul language towards a player; totally unacceptable to intimidate a player's family.

Tracy: To be brutally honest, I believe spectators will be rude and quite frankly obnoxious towards the European players. I hope that the officials will stamp this out immediately if any of the players are subject to any abuse. They have no real idea of the etiquette of golf.

Joe: Alas this will earn the monicker "Ryot Cup." The notion of placing this event in the New York was laughable from the jump. I expect this edition to feature ejections and booze-fueled brawls. Jingoism - both sides guilty as charged - and ugly hectoring shall be par for the course. Boorish behavior at its abject finest.

Jill: I hope the supporters will want the teams to win fairly so rudeness and intimidation will not help that.

Paul: I think it is disgraceful and shameful that some fans are looking forward to being very rude to players during this event. This is golf not football.

Image source, Getty Images

Jon Rahm laughed off some of the heckling he has already received at Bethpage Black this week, which included a jibe about the big Spaniard's physique.

"First shot in the practice rounds," said Rahm. "I don't know exactly what he said, but I think he either said: 'Hey, Rahm, where is the Ozempic?' Or 'When's Ozempic?' Something Ozempic.

"I just don't know what word exactly - it was funny."

Rahm insists the banter from the crowd in New York has so far been on the funny side, but knows there is more to come.

"So far, the humour that's been there, it's really funny," he said. "I would imagine tomorrow things might turn a little bit but there's always funny ones, and not only towards me, towards everybody.

"I'm not going to say what they said, but yesterday on 17, me and Shane Lowry had a good laugh at something someone said in the crowd.

"Again, people can be really creative nowadays."

Image source, Getty Images

Rory McIlroy has lived in the USA for some time and, although he's very much the villain at Bethpage Black this week at the Ryder Cup, he loves his adopted home.

In a golfing sense, the PGA Tour has traditionally been the pinnacle of the sport and the top Europeans who get their cards often relocate to the United States. McIlroy is one of those and clearly loves it.

"Everyone wanted to make it in America - it's the land of opportunity," McIlroy said at his Thursday news conference.

"And I still believe it's the best country in the world. If you come here and work hard and dedicate yourself, you can be or do whatever you want.

"I am unbelievably grateful and lucky that I got to come to America early on. I think success is celebrated here. I think there's a wonderful sense of work ethic.

"And yeah, I live here. My wife is American. My daughter is American. I have a lot of affinity towards this country, and I think everyone that lives here should have that same affinity because it's a wonderful place."

Image source, Getty Images

Collin Morikawa says he wants the home fans to unleash "absolute chaos" on the Europeans when the Ryder Cup starts on Friday.

Rory McIlroy says it is nice to have supporters singing songs that he remembers from growing up watching football - even if the lyrics have been changed somewhat.

But, with the New York crowd expected to be boisterous and vociferous this week, we wondered where the line is.

What is - and isn't acceptable - as part of the Ryder Cup atmosphere?

We'd love to hear your thoughts, so tell us here

Image source, Getty Images

Shane Lowry says he is "ready to deal" with anything thrown at him as Europe attempt to win away from home in the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2012.

The Irishman is making his third appearance for Europe after being part of the team that was thrashed 19-9 at Whistling Straits in 2021 and featuring in the 16½-11½ victory in Rome in 2023.

"I'm looking forward to it. This is what I practice for. This is what I live for. I've wanted this since we finished on the 18th green in Rome," Lowry said.

"I feel like I'm ready to deal with anything that's given to me over the next few days. This has been one of my goals is to be sitting here. My other goal is to be sitting here Sunday evening with the team with the trophy."

While a large contingent of Europe's team lives in the United States and have either previously or presently played on the PGA Tour, the visitors are expecting a raucous and intimidating atmosphere once the competition begins on Friday at Bethpage Black.

However, the 2019 Open champion, who resides in Florida, believes that may add fuel to Europe's bid to retain the Ryder Cup.

"When you're ready for something, it's never as bad," Lowry added.

"I think the New York fans have been great this week so far. Obviously it's practice days and it's a little bit more lighthearted. It is what it is. I [have] played an away Ryder Cup and a home Ryder Cup, and I'm pretty sure Rome wasn't much fun for the Americans, either.

"I think you have to be yourself, do your own thing, try and use it as best you can. Allow it to help you as opposed to let it hinder you.

"I think we are all ready for it and we are all mentally prepared for it."

Image source, Getty Images

Rory McIlroy has been speaking to the media about how important continuity in the European team could be, as "11 of the 12 are the same as we had in Rome and the 12th has the same DNA as the other one".

That is in reference to the one change from Rome being Rasmus Hojgaard playing instead of twin brother Nicolai.

We all know by now just how hard it is to win an away Ryder Cup, and McIlroy says if Luke Donald's men do it this week, they will become legends.

"Basically since 2012, you look at the results of the Ryder Cup, the home team has won every time - but they also have won convincingly," he said. "It's been pretty one-sided either way.

"So whatever team, whether that's Europe or America that is the one to break that duck, I think is going to go down as one of the best teams in Ryder Cup history.

"Luke said it in his opening remarks yesterday, but we are here and we are playing for history. We're playing for the players that came before us and the people that basically laid the foundations for what the European Ryder Cup Team are.

"But we are also playing for the guys that are going to come behind us as well - the young boys that are dreaming of becoming European Ryder Cup players. We want to try to leave a legacy for them as well.

"We have a wonderful opportunity this week but we also understand it's going to be very difficult."

Image source, Getty Images

The pairings for Friday's opening matches are always the subject of much debate.

Will Europe skipper Luke Donald keep to the same teams that romped to a historic 4-0 lead in the opening foursomes in Rome two years ago?

Or will he switch it up a bit?

Viktor Hovland, who along with Rory McIlroy were the only Europeans to play all five matches in 2023, played both his foursomes matches and had one fourball outing with Ludvig Aberg - winning two and losing one. Tyrrell Hatton was his other fourball partner in a halved match.

This week, Hovland has been out with Scotland's Robert MacIntyre every practice session.

"I've played a bunch with Bob over the past few years," said the Norwegian.

"We played some junior and amateur golf together. I get along great with Bob. We really vibe well off of each other, and we've had some good games here the last couple of weeks.

"So yeah, it will be fun. We'll see what happens - but I think we'd make a good team."

Image source, Getty Images

Europe's dozen are, weather permitting, heading out around 11:00 local time (16:00 BST) for their final look at the course before we get under way on Friday morning.

Any clues to captain Luke Donald's thinking?

16:00 BST approx

Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Robert MacIntyre

16:15 approx

Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose

16:30 approx

Ludvig Aberg, Rasmus Hojgaard, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka

In terms of the US team - 'potential practice on all practice facilities' between 16:00-19:00 is all we have to go on right now.

Image source, Getty Images

Is Rory McIlroy the European team leader? You better believe it, and judging by the way Robert MacIntyre talks about him you can see just what he means to the visitors this week.

"He's a leader, he's potentially the greatest European golfer of all time," MacIntyre said in his press conference.

"I've looked up to him since I was young."

And in what will be probably the toughest away atmosphere ever in the Ryder Cup, McIlroy seems to be the right man to lead Luke Donald's side.

"I've got no problem walking behind Rory McIlroy if he's leading the charge," MacIntyre added.

"He's a guy that's special to the game of golf, but very special to the European side."

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport golf news reporter at Bethpage

Image source, BBC Sport

Good job today is not Friday. Because the start of the Ryder Cup would be a complete washout.

To say the rain is hosing it down at Bethpage would be an understatement.

The weather, as expected, has taken a turn for the worse and is why the opening ceremony was brought forward 24 hours from tonight to Wednesday evening.

Practice rounds for the players are going to be compromised, with Viktor Hovland reckoning he might only be able to play "four or five holes" today - if they get on the course at all.

The miserable morning means all of the 10 stars still to speak to the media are doing their pressers today.

Image source, BBC Sport

The television interviews, done outside in the sunshine next to the putting green so far, will require a change of venue - or a huge brolly.

Waterproof ponchos are the sartorial choice for Bethpage staff, with a quick dash needed between cover for those who have to wander around the site.

The noise of the drops bouncing off the roof of the media tent is so loud it is hard to concentrate on writing.

Thankfully, the storms should clear off by tomorrow's 7:10am (12:10 BST) start. So maybe the golfing gods are looking down on us after all.